Knowing Brother-Chapter 12

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable. But right now, I think this is something you need to hear, Seolwoo."

After my true feelings were exposed, I felt embarrassed. How ridiculous must it have seemed to suggest that we try a contract relationship out of nowhere?

I never intended to make a fool of this person or play with him. It felt like the fish that had been thrown onto the ground, struggling for its last breath, desperately trying to catch the current. I was desperate, couldn't stay still, needed someone, and tried my best not to make a mistake, but I had to admit I was being selfish.

"Yes. I had no conscience. You can throw a drink at me and curse me out if you want."

At Seolwoo’s words, Yoon Ji-hwan burst into laughter.

"I also cut ties with my past sex partners and kept things light, but I don’t do relationships like that. That's not my way. If I’m planning to pull my heart away from someone I care about, especially, that’s not something I’d do."

"......."

"A contract won’t work. We’re going to date for real. That’s my answer."

Yoon Ji-hwan gave an unexpected answer and maintained a firm attitude.

"It’s a shameless offer, but it’d be a shame to let it go. You wouldn’t offer this kind of thing to just anyone, would you, Seolwoo?"

I could swear that was the truth. Looking at Seolwoo, who nodded, he added,

"You're a sucker. A fish in the pond. A tool. If it doesn't work, I'll take the blame and make it happen. I know you don't like physical contact. Whether you get hurt, or think it’s not right, and end up being the bad guy and dumping me, I’ll handle it. But no contracts. It has to be a real relationship, and I hope you’ll take it seriously, Seolwoo. No more compromises."

A real relationship? I don’t know if that’s even possible. The ex-girlfriends I had, the ones I dated for a week or two before breaking up, the endings that only caused pain. Dreaming of handling all the thorns Seolwoo had? Honestly, that would be shameless. Maybe if his personality changed...

But now that my broken heart had been exposed, Seolwoo couldn’t just insist on his own way. I was hesitating, unsure if I should reject him, when his next words reached me.

"If you two grow apart, it’s actually a good thing for me too... I’m on board with separating you from Won Daeyoung. I think it’s essential for you to become independent from him for various reasons."

That caught my attention.

Right, if I don’t make up my mind, nothing will change. If I decided to cut ties, I couldn’t do it half-heartedly!

Seolwoo’s eyes, as he opened his mouth to reply, showed a firm determination.

"Got it. I’ll accept the compromise."

"Then, we’ve agreed to date, right?"

"Yes."

What matters now is action and effort. Effort will bear fruit no matter what. And my efforts will surely reach his heart!

"Oh. Gotcha."

I watched Yoon Ji-hwan’s faint smile at the end of his words and pushed myself to try harder. Then, I became certain that cutting ties with Won Daeyoung was possible... This conversation with Yoon Ji-hwan, after all, was something typically said between characters in a love story when they start to connect. So, Seolwoo and I would probably be bickering before eventually getting together.

Compared to that, Seolwoo and Won Daeyoung’s story is a failure of a love story from the synopsis. What kind of romance could that possibly be? It wouldn’t get made under a title like Close Younger Brother or Best Friend with Benefits. Bright, positive, without hatred or grudges, without a twisted view of the world—this story clearly doesn’t match that kind of romance genre.

Like how the victorious stories of sports stars remain and stories of rehabilitation are often pushed to the backburner, the only story that will remain in the end is a pretty, happy ending romance.

The past unrequited love, which only brought pain, would be forgotten. We were finally wrapping things up.

Each of us would no longer appear in the next chapter of the other’s life.

Seolwoo made a cold decision. Yoon Ji-hwan took Seolwoo’s glass to the counter and refilled it with warm water.

"But, are you sure you’re okay? It’s Won Daeyoung’s routine after all."

"If I were going to get soft over something like that, I wouldn’t have asked you to meet today."

"...I see. By the way, when Seolwoo was drunk, you said it malfunctioned, like an android or something. Should I know anything about that?"

"No, nothing like that. It was just drunken rambling."

I didn’t feel like sharing the details, so I immediately cut the conversation short. Yoon Ji-hwan only learned the name of the secret.

"I always thought your double eyelids were thick because of your eyes being visible, but now that I look closely, they’re actually quite thin. Was it lenses?"

"No."

"Really? I thought you were wearing them. Seeing up close, your eyes look more like a painting."

"Someone said if they hit me with a fist, a whole cup of water would spill out of my eyes."

"Huh? Why would they punch you? Who said that?"

It was obvious who said that. The captain of the national track team. Yoon Ji-hwan asked in a calm voice.

"So, since I’m Seolwoo’s boyfriend now, should I go tell Won Daeyoung right away? Tell him it’s uncomfortable being so close to you."

"No. I should be the one to say it. It’s best if I do it myself."

Seolwoo shook his head firmly. Yoon Ji-hwan, who had been quietly watching Seolwoo, smiled faintly and said,

"Seolwoo. Don’t push yourself too hard. You don’t have to."

"......."

"Let’s take it slow, okay?"

The newly filled warm water in the cup was still hot. Seolwoo forced himself to grip the cup and took a few sips.

Next stop: Jamsil Naru. Jamsil Naru Station.

Seolwoo sat on the subway’s 6-4 car, line 2, and looked out the window.

On the advertisements on the subway and around the streets, Won Daeyoung was still staring fiercely at something. It hadn’t even been a few days since the Asian Games ended, but his face was plastered everywhere. People sure live their lives earnestly.

<Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism visits the Korea Athletics Federation – Encourages the national team and promises elite athletic support>

<A picture of the "real-life god" Won Daeyoung from the athletics national team as a reality boyfriend>

<A testimony reveals that Won Daeyoung and Ha Young-seo were dating in high school (+graduation post from Hyeongil High School)>

<It seems like Ha Young-seo is denying the dating rumors because of her image. After all, she just released a solo album with a pure concept>

Seolwoo turned off the search window and rubbed his eyes. The subway, crossing over a bridge, shook violently. Looking up, the sparkling night view of the Han River caught his eyes.

If he took line 2 at the Sports Complex station, he could go straight to Ahyeon Station, where Seolwoo’s house was, without transferring. The 19 stations were a short distance. It was a place where he had been commuting together with Daeyoung for nearly two years during his rehab. They always sat in the same car. The fast-exit 6-4 car. Seolwoo looked at the empty seat beside him before turning his gaze back to the window.

This station has a large gap between the train and the platform. Please be careful when boarding and alighting.

The train that had gone back underground grew darker outside. Seolwoo stared blankly at the darkness. He got off at any station and slumped down on a bench at the platform. He wanted to quietly sort his thoughts for a moment.

The decision was simpler than expected. He quickly organized what he wanted to say. He looked toward the fading afterimage of Daeyoung at the safety door and sent a final farewell in his heart.

When I become a high-income person, I’ll have so much I want to give.

There’s so much I want to give, and I’m worried about you... but it’s all probably overstepping my bounds.

Goodbye. My Daeyoung.

As he sent the goodbye in his heart, a sharp pain brushed across his chest. It felt like he was letting go of his life from his teens and early twenties.

Even friends have their time. We’re just at the point where we have to part ways and go down our own tracks.

When all the reasons for severing the relationship were organized, Seolwoo made the call. He wasn’t nervous or anxious. When he became certain that it was a necessary procedure, it felt like just another task.

Why? What’s going on?

Daeyoung immediately asked what was going on, without any pleasantries, as soon as he picked up the phone. Seolwoo, who wouldn’t call if there was nothing important, probably thought something had happened.

"Hyung. Where are you?"

He purposely didn’t use informal speech and called him hyung. Daeyoung immediately realized Seolwoo was acting differently and asked bluntly.

Weight. What is it, hurry up and tell me.

"I’ll come. Wait for me."

Seolwoo took the opposite direction on line 2, heading to the gym near the Sports Complex. Daeyoung, who had been running under the autumn sun and lifting weights all afternoon, showed up with more tanned skin.

"What’s up? Why didn’t you say anything over the phone?"

His attitude was sharp. The contrast between this serious side and the playful remarks he made in front of others was huge. Seolwoo hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.

"...I think we won’t be able to contact each other much anymore. I want some distance."

"You came here to say that at this hour?"

Daeyoung asked in a lethargic tone. Seolwoo didn’t want to drag things out and went straight to the point.

"I’ve started dating someone seriously. You know him, Hyung. ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Yoon Ji-hwan."

Daeyoung’s expression didn’t change. There was no reaction. He just stared at Seolwoo with piercing eyes. His intense gaze felt like it was digging into his mind.

"I know you don’t like that kind of thing, and you don’t plan to respect it, but it’s going to be awkward and uncomfortable to stay friends with you. I think it’s time to sort things out."

Even the kind-hearted ChatGPT advised me to speak firmly. Seolwoo spoke with a determined voice as he finished the prepared words.

"I’ve kept your secret, so I hope you’ll keep this one too."

"......."

The long silence made Seolwoo’s heart race. Even though he had said he wasn’t nervous, saying these words face-to-face made it difficult.